Mangrove+Swamp



Description:
 * The mangrove biome is a distinct saline shrubland habitat.[[image:kerrapes/mangroveswamppic.jpg align="right"]]
 * Mangrove swamps are coastal wetlands.
 * It is inherently a depositional anoxic environment.
 * It is characterized by saline condition tolerated by halophytic plants and species growing in brackish to saline tidal waters.
 * Mangrove swamps are found in tropical and subtropical latitudes near the equator, usually where freshwater meets saltwater.
 * In Northern America, the mangrove swamps are found along the Gulf Coast from the southwestern tip of Florida to Texas.
 * Wide-ranging mangrove systems are found in Indo-Pacific and Caribbean regions.

Flora:
 * There are about 65 species [[image:kerrapes/mangroveswamppic2.jpg width="508" height="319" align="right"]]in the mangrove flora of the world.
 * Plant species:
 * Rhizophora apiculata (Red Mangrove)
 * Rhizophora mucronata (Red Mangrove)
 * Sonneratia alba (Mangrove Apple)
 * Avicennia marina
 * Avicennia officinalis
 * Bruguiera gymnorhiza (Broad leaf orange mangrove)
 * B. parviflora (Small leaf orange mangrove)
 * Ceriops tagal (spur mangrove)
 * Acanthus ilicifolius (Shore purslane)
 * Aegiceras corniculatum (River mangrove)
 * Phoenix padulosa (Sea Date)
 * Nypa fruticans (Golpatta)
 * Heritiera fomes (Sundari)

Fauna:
 * Mangrove swamps contain a large diversity of animal species.
 * Because the swamps are replenished with nutrients from the fresh waters, they contain a wide population of bacteria and filter feeders, such as decomposers.
 * Invertebrates are supported in the roots of the mangrove tree.
 * Animal species:
 * American Alligators
 * Anemones
 * Anoles
 * Barnacles
 * Bass
 * Blue crabs
 * Cormorant
 * Crocodiles
 * Green sea turtles
 * Horseshoe crabs
 * Jack fishes
 * Longnose gars
 * Mosquitoes
 * Mummichog fish
 * Mussels
 * Oysters
 * Pelicans
 * Periwinkle snails
 * Protozoa
 * Red-tailed hawks
 * Sheephead fishes
 * Shrimp
 * Snapper
 * Sponges
 * Tree crab
 * Wading birds
 * White egret
 * White ibis
 * Worms
 * Yellow-crowned night heron
 * Because the mangrove swamp contains thick vegetation and rich organic matter, the mangrove trees are referred to as a nursery habitat for fish species.
 * Fish species inhabit that mangrove area for a whole life cycle.

Temperature and Precipitation:

Human Impact:
 * Humans have torn apart mangrove swamps for other purposes, such as for agriculture and aquaculture.
 * Humans think of mangrove swamps as ugly and tend to just use them as garbage disposals.
 * Mangroves’ roots are clogged by man-made sediments.
 * Mangrove swamps are misguided as mosquito breeding areas so humans spray them down with insecticides.
 * Oil spills, caused by humans, cause oil to get trapped into the roots of mangroves, destroying trees and fauna

Bibliography:
 * Amsel, Sheri. “Wetlands of the World.” Mangrove Swamp. Exploring Nature Educational Resource. © 2005 - 2015. January 18, 2015. <@http://exploringnature.org/db/detail.php?dbID=44&detID=2854>
 * Environmental Protection Agency. "Mangrove." The Encyclopedia of Earth. Environmental Information Coalition, 15 Apr. 2010. Web. 18 Jan. 2015. <@http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/154437/>.
 * "Habitat Awareness Mangrove Swamps." Habitat Awareness Mangrove Swamps. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2015. <[]>.
 * "Mangrove Forests." //Mangrove Forests //. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2015. <[]>.
 * "Mangrove Vegetation." //Mangrove Vegetation //. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2015. <[]>.
 * "Mangrove Swamp." //Mangrove Swamp//. Web. 22 Jan. 2015. .
 * "Report Reveals 'alarming' Rate of Mangrove Habitat Loss." //Theguardian //. Web. 22 Jan. 2015. 